Ulster Way

{{Short description|Series of walking routes in Northern Ireland}}

{{Infobox hiking trail

| name = Ulster Way

| photo = Ulster Way, August 2009.JPG

| caption = Ulster Way sign near Strangford, August 2009.

| location = Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland

| designation =

| length = {{convert|636|mi|km|0|abbr=off}}{{cite web| title=The Ulster Way| publisher=Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)| url=http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/places_to_visit_home/content-newpage-59.htm| access-date=19 May 2012}}

| trailheads = Belfast

| use = Hiking

| elev_gain_and_loss =

| highest =

| lowest =

| season = Any

| sights = Mourne Mountains, Fermanagh lakeland, Sperrin Mountains, Giant's Causeway

| surface = Mountain, field and cliff paths; roads.

| website = {{URL|https://www.walkni.com/ulster-way/}}

| difficulty =

}}

The Ulster Way is a series of walking routes which encircles Northern Ireland. It was founded in the 1970s by Wilfrid Merydith Capper,{{cite web|url=http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/1757|title=Wilfrid Merydith Capper (1905–1998): Countryside Campaigner|work=Dictionary of Ulster Biography|publisher=Ulster History Circle|access-date=7 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.walkni.com/ulsterway/history/|title=History of the Ulster Way - From Concept to Realisation|publisher=Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland|access-date=7 March 2016}} who was inspired by Tom Stephenson's Pennine Way.{{cite episode|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/ramblings_20070302.shtml|title=The Ulster Way|series=Ramblings|network=BBC Radio 4|credits=Presenter: Clare Balding|airdate=2007-03-02}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/New-Provincewide-walking-route-launched.5649319.jp|title=New Province-wide walking route launched|date=16 September 2009|work=The News Letter|access-date=11 October 2009}} The route was relaunched in 2009 by the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).

The vast majority of the trail lies within Northern Ireland, with small sections being in the Republic of Ireland. The path visits many places of interest including the Mourne Mountains, Giant's Causeway, Cavehill and the Sperrins. Most of the sections are clearly sign-posted.

History

Image:HolywoodUlsterWay.jpg in Holywood.]]

Wilfrid Capper developed the idea for the Ulster Way in 1946, as a waymarked trail that would pass through the six counties of Northern Ireland, linking 15 youth hostels which were in place at the time. Once implemented, this original route stretched for 665 miles.

Towards the end of the 20th century, large sections of the trail fell into disrepair or were "lost" due to increased car traffic on some of the road sections, and ambiguity of ownership and land access rights.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/1882208.stm|title=The end of the road for NI walkway?|date=20 March 2002|publisher=BBC News|access-date=11 October 2009}}

In April 2003, Environment Minister Angela Smith MP announced a project to improve and maintain the Ulster Way.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/places_to_visit_home/access_to_the_countryside/future_of_the_ulster_way/ulster_way_update.htm|title=Ulster Way update at May 2009|date=May 2009|publisher=Northern Ireland Environment Agency|access-date=11 October 2009}} A new route was agreed in early 2009. The new route was officially opened on 16 September 2009. This revised route is 625 miles;{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/get-your-boots-on-the-ulster-way-is-back-on-the-map-14493765.html|title=Get your boots on, the Ulster Way is back on the map|last=Stewart|first=Linda|date=16 September 2009|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=11 October 2009}} the first people to hike the entire revised route are thought to be schoolboys Matthew Hoper and Simon Harris, who completed it between 28 June and 4 August 2010.{{cite news |date=5 August 2010 |title=Boys back from 625-mile 'dander' round Ulster |url=http://www.carrickfergustimes.co.uk/news/carrickfergus-news/boys-back-from-625-mile-dander-round-ulster-1-1644516 |access-date=7 March 2016 |work=Carrick Times}}

Ulster Way

History

References

Further reading